Expedia Group 10-Q 2021-09-30

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2021

OR

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-37429

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1111 Expedia Group Way W.

Seattle, WA 98119

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

(206) 481-7200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

__________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock as of October 22, 2021 was:

Expedia Group, Inc.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2021

Contents

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes.

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

(1)Currency translation adjustments include tax expense of $5 million and $11 million associated with net investment hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and tax benefit of $7 million and $8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

See accompanying notes.

EXPEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except number of shares, which are reflected in thousands, and par value)

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Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the views of our management regarding current expectations and projections about future events and are based on currently available information. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report. COVID-19, and the volatile regional and global economic conditions stemming from it, and additional or unforeseen effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, could also give rise to or aggravate these risk factors, which in turn could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations (including revenues and profitability) and/or stock price. Further, COVID-19 may also affect our operating and financial results in a manner that is not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider to present significant risks to our operations. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goal,” “intends,” “likely,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projected,” “seeks,” “should” and “will,” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements; however, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. We are not under any obligation to, and do not intend to, publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in our other reports filed with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.

The information included in this management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes included in this Quarterly Report, and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Overview

Expedia Group's mission is to power global travel for everyone, everywhere. We believe travel is a force for good. Travel is an essential human experience that strengthens connections, broadens horizons and bridges divides. We help reduce the barriers to travel, making it easier, more enjoyable, more attainable and more accessible. We bring the world within reach for customers and partners around the globe. We leverage our supply portfolio, platform and technology capabilities across an extensive portfolio of consumer brands, and provide solutions to our business partners, to orchestrate the movement of people and the delivery of travel experiences on both a local and global basis. We make available, on a stand-alone and package basis, travel services provided by numerous lodging properties, airlines, car rental companies, activities and experiences providers, cruise lines, alternative accommodations property owners and managers, and other travel product and service companies. We also offer travel and non-travel advertisers access to a potential source of incremental traffic and transactions through our various media and advertising offerings on our websites. For additional information about our portfolio of brands, see the disclosure set forth in Part I, Item 1, Business, under the caption “Management Overview” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

All percentages within this section are calculated on actual, unrounded numbers.

Trends

The COVID-19 pandemic, and measures to contain the virus, including government travel restrictions and quarantine orders, have had a significant negative impact on the travel industry. COVID-19 has negatively impacted consumer sentiment and consumer’s ability to travel, and many of our supply partners, particularly airlines and hotels, continue to operate at reduced service levels.

As the spread of the virus has been contained to varying degrees in certain countries, travel restrictions have been lifted and consumers have become more comfortable traveling, particularly to domestic locations. This led to a moderation of the declines in travel bookings and in cancellation rates since March and April 2020. However, travel bookings remain below and cancellation rates still remain elevated compared to pre-COVID levels.

The degree of containment of the virus, and the recovery in travel, has varied country by country. During the recovery period, there have been instances where cases of COVID-19 have started to increase again after a period of decline, which in some cases impacted the recovery of travel in certain countries. Additionally, there continues to be uncertainty over the impact of the delta or other new variants of the virus, including the efficacy of the vaccines against such variants, which has contributed, and may continue to contribute, to delays in economic recovery. COVID-19 has also had broader economic impacts, including an increase in unemployment levels and reduction in economic activity, which if COVID-19 starts to increase again, could lead to a reduction in consumer or business spending on travel activities, which may negatively impact the timing and level of a recovery in travel demand. Broader, sustained negative economic impacts could also put strain on our suppliers, business and service partners which increases the risk of credit losses and service level or other disruptions.

Our financial and operating results for 2020 were significantly impacted due to the decrease in travel demand related to COVID-19. While we have seen an improvement in trends during 2021, the impact to the overall travel market, and our business, has continued. The full duration and total impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain and it is difficult to predict how the recovery will unfold for the travel industry and, in particular, our business.

Additionally, further health-related events, political instability, geopolitical conflicts, acts of terrorism, significant fluctuations in currency values, sovereign debt issues, and natural disasters, are examples of other events that could have a negative impact on the travel industry in the future.

Prior to the onset of COVID-19, we began to execute a cost savings initiative aimed at simplifying the organization and increasing efficiency. Following the onset of COVID-19, we accelerated execution on several of these cost savings initiatives and took additional actions to reduce costs to help mitigate the impact to demand from COVID-19 and reduce our monthly cash usage. While some cost actions during COVID-19 are temporary and intended to minimize cash usage during this disruption, we expect to con

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Market Risk Management

There have been no material changes in our market risk during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. For additional information, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our management, including our Chairman and Senior Executive, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, our Chairman and Senior Executive, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, Expedia Group and its subsidiaries are parties to legal proceedings and claims involving property, tax, personal injury, contract, alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights and other claims. A discussion of certain legal proceedings can be found in the section titled “Legal Proceedings,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The following are developments regarding, as applicable, such legal proceedings and/or new legal proceedings:

Litigation Relating to Occupancy and Other Taxes

Pine Bluff, Arkansas Litigation. On October 21, 2021, the Arkansas Supreme Court heard argument on the defendants’ appeal from the trial court’s decisions relating to certification of a damages class. On October 28, 2021, the court dismissed the appeal as premature based on its conclusion that the trial court had not yet issued a final judgment or order.

State of Louisiana/City of New Orleans Litigation. On August 26, 2021, the defendants filed writ applications with the Louisiana Supreme Court, which remain pending. Trial in the case is scheduled to begin April 4, 2022.

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Litigation. The Louisiana Court of Appeals heard argument on October 13, 2021, and the parties await a ruling.

Clark County, Nevada Litigation. On July 13, 2021, defendants removed the case to federal court and plaintiffs subsequently filed a motion to remand. The court denied Plaintiff’s motion. On September 13, 2021, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the County’s common law and Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims. The motion to dismiss remains pending.

Broward County, Florida Litigation. The parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement.

Jasper County Development District #1, Texas Litigation. The parties have reached a tentative settlement agreement.

City of Charleston, South Carolina Litigation. On May 27, 2021, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint.

Non-Tax Litigation and Other Legal Proceeding

Helms-Burton Litigation. On October 4, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit heard argument on plaintiff’s appeal of the dismissal of the Del Valle matter. On September 30, 2021, a new lawsuit was filed against Expedia, Eduardo Soto, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Osvaldo Soto v. Expedia Group, Inc., Booking.com B.V., and Booking Holdings Inc., No. 1:20-cv-24044-MGC, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, asserting similar claims under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act.

Stockholder Litigation

In re Expedia Group, Inc. Stockholders Litigation. On November 2, 2021, the parties to the litigation and the Special Committee entered into a Stipulation of Compromise and Settlement which sets forth the terms and conditions for the proposed settlement and dismissal with prejudice of the litigation, subject to review and approval by the court upon notice to the stockholder class and the current stockholders of the Company. On November 3, 2021, the court entered its Scheduling Order with Respect to Notice of Settlement Hearing (the “Order”), which scheduled a hearing on the proposed settlement for January 19, 2022 to determine, among other things, whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the Company, the class and the current stockholders of the Company, and to consider an application for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses by plaintiff’s counsel.

The Order also approved the form of Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Class and Derivative Action, Settlement Hearing and Right to Appear (the “Notice”), which will be mailed to stockholders and posted to the “Investors/Resources” section of the Company’s corporate website. The Notice describes the background and terms of the proposed settlement, which, if finally approved by the court following the settlement hearing, will result in the entry of a judgment, among other things, dismissing the litigation with prejudice and extinguishing and releasing the claims that were or would have been asserted in the litigation against the defendants and related persons.

Competition and Consumer Matters

On October 18 and 19, 2021, the Australian Federal Court heard submissions from the parties regarding penalties and other orders. In its submissions, the ACCC proposed a penalty of at least AU$90 million and an injunction restraining trivago

from engaging in misleading conduct of the type found by the Australian Federal Court to be in contravention of the ACL. trivago submitted that an appropriate penalty for the court to impose would be in the order of up to AU$15 million. The parties await a ruling.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. These are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Part II. Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.